Motor vehicle



Sept. 10, 1929. LANGLANDS ET AL MOTOR VEHI CLE Filed April 1927 8 Sheets-Sheet Inventors. v I fleorgew Ibpmbs, a,

g Enic Lang lands, 115/ /um AM Sept. 10, 1929. E, LANGLANDS ET AL MOTOR VEHICLE Filed April. 2, 1927 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 7 J J Tm m m ewa mi WMM BL. W wm mi %N Sept. 10, 1929.

E. LANGLANDS ET AL 1,727,721

MOTOR VEHICLE Filed 192'! 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 In venior-s: Geoizq W I 7726.9,

Eric Langlands,

m 1M W A Sept. 10, 1929. E. LANGLANDS Erm.

MOTOR vmucm:

8 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed April 2, 1927 w 1 I M w x 0 Z 4 J M 1 w E w M .1 w fm w P 0 M; GEM

p 9- E. LANGLANDS ET AL 1,727,721

MOTOR VEHICLE U Maw mw Patented Sept. 10, 1929.

UNITED STATES ERIC LANGLANDS AND GEORGE PATENT OFFICE.

M TOR VEHICLE.

Application filed April 2,

it is to be understood that to be limited One of the principal objects of this inyen-- tion is the provision of a self-contalned.

power unit, capable of being used with many types of motor vehicles, and which may be readily removed from such vehicle for repair, replacement or the like without the'use of cranes or the like.

Another important-object is the provision, in a vehicle of the motor coach type, of individual baggage compartments in proxime ity to the individual seats, to wit, directly above the same, so that there will be no commingling of baggage,and 'upon stopping to discharge a passenger, it will not be necessary to remove all baggage from a single compartment in order to reach the particular piece wanted. This part of the invention contemplates a compartment for the baggage,'accessible both from inside and outside the coach.

Still-another important object is the arrangement of the engine or power plant in the rear of the whole assembly so that odors,

engine noises and heat will not annoy passengers, and at the same time will allow the driver to sit directly at the front of the vehicle with his vision unobscured.

To this end, the invention contemplates an elongated body frame having a raised rear 'deck beneath which is housed the power assembly. This unit may advantageously be of the usual gas electric type. Such unit may be carried upon a main frame, and includes all the driving mechanism for connection to the driving axles. The engine and associated parts are carried on a sub-frame mounted on rollers which run on an irregularly, shaped track, supported upon brackets carried by the main frame. In such a construction the engine or power assembly can be readily rolled out of the vehicle for repair or replacement. The baggage is adapted to be carried in inside ofiset compartments, two walls of which of passengers and their- 1927. Serial No. 180,572.

are defined by the'roof and one side of the body proper. These compartments are 10- cateddlrectly above the passenger chairs and are either accessible from inside or outside the coach.

The coach is provided with two tiers of seats. a short series of steps connecting the two decks. The absence of the power plant from the immediate front of the vehicle enables the driver to sit directly at the front of the body whichfacilitates driving.

The invention further consists in the novel arrangement, combination and construction of parts herein shown and described.

Other objects and advantages will appear as the description proceeds and with reference to the accompanying drawings, diagrammatically illustrating the invention and L in which structed according to our invention.

Fig. 2 is a, plan view of the coach of Fig. 1 with'the top removed.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of the coach of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4: is a lateral sectional view through the forward or lower seating deck.

Fig. '5 is a plan view of a power truck and assembly.

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a view partly in section along the line 77 of Fig. 5. i

Fig. 8 is a view-partly in section along the line 88 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 9 is a detail showing the rollers car- 35 ried by the sub-frame and their relation to the track.

Fig. 10 is a figure on the line 10-10 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 11 is a glan view of a modified form of power assem 1y. v

Fig. 12 is a sectional elevation along the line 12-12 of Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is a view along the line 1313 of Fig. 12.

Fig; 14 Fig. 12.

' Fig. 15 is a sectional detail of the pneumatic lift device.

Fig. 16 is an enlarged elevation partly in is a view along the line 14-44 'of Fig. 1 is a'side elevation of a coach con- 70 section showing the track and roller arrangethe entire power assembly. It will thus be ment. seen that the entire power plant and its truck Fig. 17 is a similar view but taken between maybe disconnected from the vehicle.

main and sub-frames. Air springs may be used to cushion the Fig. 18 is an enlarged detail of an engine truck in the usual manner and such pneumat- Fig. 19 is an end View of a dolly-looking from front to rear from the coach standpoint.

ic device is shown at 19, having one part pivoted to the truck or main frame 1 at 19 while the main portion of the device is at tached to a bracket on the body as at 19".

In the, embodiment of the invention shown, In this manner the coach body is resiliently the vehicle body consists of two decks 3 and supported upon the power truck. 4 each provided with a series of passenger The sub-frame consisting of longitudinals seats 5. The rear deck 4 is raised above the 16, cross braces 17 and 18 carrying the engine level of the deck 3 and a short series of steps 13, and supporting members 19' upon which 6 connects them. On each side of the steps, is mounted the generator 14, also carries outand between the two decks, there may be prowardly extending brackets 20 and 21 at the vided toilet facilities. These rooms are indifront and rear, said brackets having rollers 22 cated generally at 7. and 23 respectively. Between 'the longitudi- The front of the body housing the rear deck nals 1 of the main frame, there is provided 4 is to be glassed in so that an unobstructed three offset transversals 24, 25and'26 respecforward view will be permitted to those octively used to permanently support the subcupying this part of the coach. frame, while the power assembly is in place, Where desirable, an open observation or and the track of runway used to remove the smoking platform may be provided at the assembly. rearJof the deck4 and likewise furnished with Built out from the transversals 24 and 26 seats. are steps 27 and 28 respectively-upon which A door 8 on the right side of the lower deck the sub-frame is supported at each end. allows passengers to enter and exit there- Upon these steps are mounted rubber pads 29 through. upon which the sub-frame directly rests so A drivers seat 9 is,provided directly at that this part is resiliently supported. Bolts the front of the vehicle, where his view is 30 are adapted to pass through sub-frame 16 unobstructed in all directions. and step 27 and bolts 31 through step 28 to Directly above the individual seats, bag- "prevent displacement of the power plant. In gage compartments are provided, built to like manner the intermediate transversal 25 utilize this waste overhead space, and a poris provided with supporting steps on which tionof the top and side wall of the body. the sub-frame rests and to which it is bolted These compartments are indicated generally by bolts 32. at and access may be had thereto either Longitudinal track ways 33 are mounted through inside doors 11 or outside doors '12. upon the transversals and above and outside Each compartment will ordinarily be large the sub-frame supporting steps, and are enough to carry the hand baggage of the pasadapted to receive the rollers 22 and 23. senger or passengers sitting directly beneath. The track 33 is so shaped and arranged that By using such a construction and utilizing it slopes irregularly up from front to rear, the outside doors 12, the driver may place or from the coach viewpoint, there being a slight remove a passengers baggage quickly and change in level therein just behind each rollwithout inconveniencing the passenger or er. This is indicated at 22 and 23.

other passengers. In placing the sub-frame and its assembly As above stated, the power plant is adapted in the truck, a dolly or the like may be used to to be located beneath the rear deck 4. This transport the unit up to the point where the location has decided advantages over the rollers will engage the track projecting befront or usual place for such assemblies. In yond the rear transversal 26." After all four this case, the inconvenience accompanying rollers are on the track, the whole sub-frame the unavoidable heat, odors and noise is to a may be then pushed toward the front of the great extent eliminated, without detractingcoach, in any way from the efiiciency of the power changes inlevel 22 and 23 This drop until the rollers pass over the drops or plant.

This power unit may consist of a gas engine 13, a-generator 14, both of which are mounted on sub-frame 16, and one or mbrc motors 15 suitably connected together in the usual manner. The motors 15 and the sub-frame are carried on transversals secured between the main frame parts 1 as will be more fully described hereinafter. Drive and driven wheels are provided in the usual manner and support operation is reversed.

just sufficient to cause the bottom of the sub frame to engage the rubber pads 29, the entire weight of the sub-frame being taken off the rollers at this point. The sub-frame must then be forced farther into place until thebolts 30, 31 and 32 can be put in place and the sub-frame secured. When it is desired to remove the sub-frame and its assembly, the I In such a case, the frame must be bodily dragged over the pads 29 until the rollers engage the track at 22 and 23.

A retaining pad 34, adjustably secured as at 35 to the'sub-frame may be used to prevent undue vibration and this holds the frame above and below resiliently.

gether by transversals 51 which may be conveniently of tubular stock and extending downwardly somewhat although not to the extent necessary in the first described arrangement. v

Brackets 52 are secured to the members and extend toward the center line of the coach and support the trackway 53.

As-in the first described arrangement, the sub-frame consists of two longitudinals 54. normally supported on rubber cushions 55 held in socket elements 56'mounted on. the rear main frame transversal 51. At the front of the sub-frame, the longitudinals are provided with ball members 57 attached thereto,

.and rear upon resilient supports. As before,

this sub-frame carries the engine 13 upon members 17 and 18 and a connected generator 14 upon its carrying bracket 19';

At the rear end of each sub-frame longitudinal, there is provided a roller 60 which P hangs below and to one side of the member 56 carrying the rubber pad 55, while at the front, each longitudinal carries a roller 61 at a higher level than roller 60 and directly over but out of engagement with the trackway. i

That portion of the trackway beneath the front roller 61 is hinged as at 53, so that upon admitting compressed air or other fluid through the line 62, the diaphragm 63 in the lifting device of Fig. 15 will cause the plunger I way 67 will underlieand raise the rollers 60. 6O

64 to engage the hinged end of the trackway 53. Further upward movement of the plunger will raise that end of the sub-frame as shown in Fig. 18, until the ball 57 leaves its socket. This end of the sub-frame is now free to move out.

A'dolly indicated generally at 65 mounted upon casters 66 and having trackways 67 and 68 is then rolled up to the rear of the coach so that the short trackway 68 underlies the projecting end of the trackway 53. When the dolly is in this position, the lower long track- Th entire sub-frame and its assembly may then be rolled rearwardly onto the dolly and removed from the truck for repair or otherwise. When completely out of the truck, the

front rollers 61 will rest on the short upper trackway 68' of the dollyand the rear rollers Way 67. In this way the level of the engine and sub-frame is maintained.

In both forms of the device, the engineradiator may be conveniently located in the side wall of the body as at 69 and hose connections 7 0 used between radiator and engine.

The usual controls, not shown, are provided for the driver.

With such aconstruction and arrangement, it is a comparatively simple matter to remove the engine from the truck for repair or re placement without laying up either the truck or vehicle, as the major portion of breakdowns occur in the gas engine. This replacement can readily be accomplished Without the aid of cranes or the like, as the engine and its frame can be slid and rolled out onto a suit able dolly or table arranged with tracks at the same height as hereinbefore described.

Where other parts of the power system require replacement the entire truck may be ing two passenger carrying decks, one at a higher level than the other, and a removable power plant mounted on a truck beneath the raised deck. a

2. A motor vehicle comprising a body having two passenger carrying decks, one at a higher-level than the other, and a removable ower plant mounted on a truck beneath the raised deck, the rear portion of the body per mitting withdrawing of the truck in a rearwardly direction.

3. A'motorvehicle having a power plant including an engine, a main frame for the power, plant, a track carried thereby, said track being on a lower level at the front than at the rear thereof, a sub-frame carrying the engine, and rollers onsaid sub-frame engaging said track whereby the engine and its sub frame may be rolled from the main power plant frame. T

4. A motor vehicle having a power plant including an engine, a main frame for the power plant, a track carried thereby, an en-' ine sub-frame, rollers on the engine sub-- rame engaging said track, said track being so shaped as to automatically cause the rollers to disengage the track by movement of the engine frame over the track.

5. A motor vehicle having a power plant including an engine, a main frame for the.

power plant, a track carried thereby, an engine sub-frame, rollers and-a resilient stop on the engine frame, said rollers engaging the track through part movement of the engine sub-frame over the main truck frame, said stop engaging the track through the remain-. der of such movement...

6. A motor vehicle having a power plant including arr engine, a main frame for the power plant, a trackway carried thereby, an engine sub-frame having rollers normally out of engagement with said track, and means to cause the track to engage said rollers.

7. A motor vehicle having a power plant including an engine, a main frame for the power plant, a trackway carried thereby, an

engine sub-frame having rollers normally out of engagement with said track, and means to cause the track to engage said rollers, said trackway including a hinged portion.

8. A motor vehicle having a power plant including an engine, a main frame for the power plant, a traokway carried thereby, an engine sub-frame having rollers normally out of engagement with said track, and means to cause the track to engage said rollers, said trackway including a hinged portion, said engagement causin means comprising a vertically movable p unger located beneath the hinged portion of the track.

9. In combination a motor vehicle having a 7 power plant including an engine, a main frame for the power plant, a track carried thereby, a sub-frame carrying the engine, and

rollers on said sub-frame engaging said track whereby the en ine and its sub-frame may be rolled from't e main power plant frame, additional rollers on said subframe out of engagement with said track and a dolly having complementary trackways to receive all the said rollers when they leave the frame track. 10. In combination a motor vehicle having a power plant including an engine, a main frame for the power plant, a track carried thereby, a sub-frame carrying the engine, and rollers on said sub-frame engaging said track whereby the engine and its sub-frame may be rolled from the main power plant frame, said rollers comprising two pairs, one pair of which engage the trackway, the other pair projecting below the main frame trackway, and a dolly for receiving the last mentioned rollers to support the sub-frame while it is being removed from the main frame, and a trackway on the dolly to receive the first mentioned rollers when they leave the mainframe trackway.

In testimony whereof, we afiix our signatures.

ERIC LANGLANDS; GEORGE W. TOOMBS. 

